In Serbia, the protests against President Aleksandar Vucic to grow. The unrest worries to frown at the Russian politicians. Serbia is traditionally associated with Russia closely. From Moscow Mandlmeier.
Anyone who travels as a Russian in Serbia, is enthusiastic: “Serbs like Russians!” Hospitable, kind, similar languages. This enthusiasm applies not only to the everyday folk, but also for the policy. Was. So far. The current protests against the President Aleksandar Vucic could change that. That’s why Moscow looks anxious to Belgrade these days.
The Serbian President is considered Russia-friendly, its policy towards the Kremlin as predictable. But as long as he remains in office? His country is one of the few remaining Russia-allies in Europe. What happens if Vucic? Is overshadowed the good bilateral policy? A From is threatening the Russian-Serbian friendship?
The game also has economic interests, in addition to the political. Serbia buys Russian weapons and Russian raw materials. Belgrade has an interest in the Russian Gas Pipeline “Turkish Stream”, which will be built at the time. One of the branches is to go through southern Serbia, near the Kosovo.
Close allies: Russia’s President Putin (li.) with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
All Oleg Bondarenko, the Russian “Foundation of progressive politics” at risk if President Vucic will be forced to vacate his Post. The policy expert fears in a DW interview with the Russian investments in the Serbian economy and to the stability of Kosovo: “Russia needs a stable Serbia. Russia needs a predictable President, Aleksandar Vucic.” Bondarenko suggested that the West has its Finger in the game and the pressure the President is exerting, so that Vucic acknowledges as the first Serbian politicians, the independence of Kosovo.
Fear of a close ally
The infamous “Hand of the West” suggests, by the way, many in Moscow. Especially as the USA talk about the Russian influence in the Balkans. The Moscow radio station “Kommersant FM” quotes the political scientist Alexander Safonov: “This pressure from the West is Serbia, a maximum in the Euro-Atlantic Integration. Among other things, the ground for a NATO should be preparing for accession. Serbia benefits from the fact that it supports the anti-Russian sanctions. Unlike President Vucic, the Serbian Opposition will not be supporting Russian interests in the Balkans.”
The Serbs feel close to Russia: A Passer-by in Belgrade with the Russian flag
In fact, Serbia rejects as the only country in Europe, the anti-Russian sanctions. For Moscow, Belgrade was the key to European policy, Oleg Bondarenko, compared to the DW. “The current protests have, by and Large, the goal is to weaken the Serbian-Russian relations,” concludes the analyst.
To him, the Moscow journalist Ivan Preobrazhenskij speaks: “It will change nothing Essential. From the beginning of the Vucic’s presidency, Moscow has seen in him not really pro-Russian politicians. Nevertheless, the Russian head of state Putin has not prevented good relations with the Serbian leadership.” In a change of power in Belgrade Preobrazhenskij doubt. “Even if he would, find themselves in a new coalition enough Moscow sympathisers”, said the expert. Just like Bondarenko also Preobrazhenskij recognizes the key role of Serbia in the Russian European policy: “The loss of Serbia would be tantamount to the loss of the Balkans”, in particular because of the Serbian refusal of the Western sanctions against Russia. He does not believe, however, that a possible change of government in Belgrade will change the pro-Russian orientation of the Serbs.